With a good amount of research yes, a first time grower could for sure. After I did my research & made a system I made a schedule for everything. Every Monday I dump the rez out, scrub the rez & airstones w/ antibacterial soap, rinse, refill the rez to the fill line & add nutes. Daily I check the water level in the rez, replenish, and add nutes.. It's very very simple imo. I haven't had a single problem with my low budget systems >.<
I like to design & build things.. that's why I got into it. I can do a soil vs. hydro grow soon. I'd put money on hydro though lol. Have you ever tried hydro before?